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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Here's an interesting tidbit we missed while scouring through BMW's massive press release on the 2012 M5.
According to the text, BMW has employed a system it's calling "Active
Sound Design" on the new M5, which takes in engine speed and load data
from the ECU and plumbs it through the stereo to play a real-time
recording of the M5's engine.

Here's BMW's official explanation:

The Active Sound Design technology specially developed for the new
BMW M5 takes its cues from the driving situation at any one time to
deliver an accurate reproduction of the engine's sound through the car's
audio system. The system's digital signal processing exchanges data
directly with the engine management, allowing it to reflect the engine's
revs and torque, and the car's speed over the road. The result over a
smoothly driven journey is a discreet soundtrack in keeping with the
harmonious and assured characteristics of the V8 powerplant. A stamp on
the accelerator, meanwhile, prompts an immediate audible response to
match the instantaneous – and typically M – burst of power from beneath
the bonnet.

BMW claims the system provides an "extremely accurate impression of
current engine load" and that the sound has been optimized to spread
across the entire cabin. Not only that, but when Sport or Sport+ is
engaged, the sound inside the M5 is enhanced and perfectly sequenced
with induction, engine and exhaust noises. We're not sure if we're
geeked or disturbed, but it's certainly trick.